Bookmakers in the United Kingdom
Betting in Britain began to take shape back when horse racing gained popularity. This happened in the 17th–18th century. At that time, it existed in the form of wagers between spectators at the racetrack. People tried to figure out who among them was the better predictor. Soon, around these enthusiastic spectators, men with small notebooks and pens started appearing — these were the first bookmakers. They collected money, which formed the pool for the totalisator.
This continued until the mid-19th century, when bookmakers in England reached a new level. Then, Leviathan Davis and Fran Swindell created the first version of a betting office in London. They even issued special brochures with odds. From that moment, betting shops began to open across Britain. At the end of that century, the bookmaker Ladbrokes was also founded — one of the oldest still-operating bookmakers in the world. Modern platforms also offer innovations like live betting uk, making the experience even more dynamic for today's users.
Until the mid-20th century, the entire bookmaking business in the UK operated illegally. Bookmakers could not work openly, and authorities monitored them closely. Eventually, the industry gained the legal framework it needed to flourish. Over time, more than 10,000 betting shops began operating across the United Kingdom. The wealthiest companies, such as William Hill, Betfred, and Ladbrokes, used new advertising freedoms to significantly strengthen their market positions. Today, the most successful British bookmakers consistently earn annual profits exceeding 100 million dollars.
Nowadays, the British betting market is regulated by the authoritative gambling regulator — the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This agency grants permission for both land-based and online gambling services. Obtaining such a license is quite difficult. Moreover, most of the company’s financial operations must meet a wide range of requirements. For instance, only operators whose equipment is located directly in the United Kingdom can receive a UKGC license.
This body upholds very high standards for licensees and requires all UK betting sites to be socially responsible; not to accept bets from players under 18 years old and to block betting from users who have activated the responsible gaming function GAMSTOP.
Payment Methods in the United Kingdom
Around 90% of those who place bets on UK betting sites fund their accounts via direct bank transfers, debit cards, and e-wallets. Mobile payment methods such as Boku and Apple Pay are also becoming increasingly popular. The most popular e-wallet among British bettors is undoubtedly PayPal. Paysafecard, Skrill, and Neteller are some alternatives. As for debit cards, Visa and Mastercard remain the top choice. However, credit cards cannot be used to fund gambling accounts. Regarding Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies: they are technically accepted. However, they are not recommended by the UKGC. Therefore, very few British betting sites offer them as a deposit option.
Generally, British players make sure to choose deposit methods that help them smoothly pass the verification process. Most bookmakers in England, along with a photo ID and proof of address, also ask players to provide a payment identifier. So it's better to avoid registering with a foreign bank card, as you will likely be asked to submit additional documents to verify your identity.
The Most Popular Types of Sports Bets in the United Kingdom
British bookmakers are obsessed with 4–5 types of sports. The main focus here is on football. This is not surprising, as England is considered the birthplace of this sport. However, the British don’t live by football alone. They also devote a lot of attention to horse and greyhound racing. Horse racing is a true passion for the British. Bookmakers traditionally highlight the most interesting racing events as main ones. The focus is primarily on British races, but races in Australia, the USA, Hong Kong, and other countries are also covered.
The top five sports for UK bookmakers also include cricket. Test matches traditionally generate "million-pound pots." Rugby is in a similar situation. This sport is also loved across the UK. Tennis is also well covered, along with traditionally British sports like snooker and golf.
Overall, the betting lines of English bookmakers are not much different from what European companies offer. Sports like basketball, hockey, and volleyball are also covered. However, rugby and cricket receive far more attention. European bookmakers don’t offer such a wide range of betting options for these sports as British bookmakers do. By the way, fractional odds are used by default in British bookmakers. However, most of them have a special toggle that allows users to switch to the more familiar decimal odds.
